Ladies&#39; shoes having shank support



NOV. 8, 1960 R, GRlFFl LAQIES'SHOES HAVING SHANK SUPPORT Filed July 2, 1958 INVENTOR. Po MEO GMF/ff.

TTIPNEK United States Patent O LADIES SHOES HAVING SHANK SUPPORT Romeo Grilli, Via Crocilisso 2, Cerro Maggiore, Italy Filed July 2, 1958, Ser. No. 746,161

3 Claims. (Cl. B16- 2.5)

The present invention relates to a new and novel ladys shoe structure which provides ample support for the foot without sacrificing the beauty and style of the usual highheeled shoe.

An important object of this invention is to provide a structure for ladies shoes which retains the elegance and styling of the conventional high-heeled shoe but which further provides a built in resilience which overcomes the normal shock to the leg and spine which is experienced with the usual rigid high heel structure.

Another object of this invention is to provide a ladys shoe structure which can simulate the grace of the highest of high heeled shoes yet which is far safer and more comfortable to wear when walking, standing or sitting.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a ladys shoe structure which eliminates the conventional heel yet which can be built readily without the use of specialized equipment.

Other objects of this invention will appear from the following detailed description.

In the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a side-elevational view in section of the novel shoe structure of this invention, and

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of this novel shoe structure taken along the line II-II in Fig. 1.

Like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to Fig. 1, the shoe, indicated by reference numeral 1, comprises the usual inner sole 2 attached to an outer sole 3 having the vamp 4 of the shoe structure fixed between said soles in the usual manner. Between inner sole 2 and outer sole 3 in the region of the heel portion 6 and shank portion 7 of the shoe structure is provided a resilient metal shank which is concealed by the extension 8 of the outer sole 3. At the juncture of outer sole 3 and the extension 8 the resilient metal shank 5 passes through an orifice or opening 9 located substantially at the ball line of the shoe and is bent backward in an angular return 10, the angle being such that the return 10 lies substantially within the plane of outer sole 3 and supporting the shoe at the desired height from the floor. The return 10 may be enclosed with any desired covering 11 for decoration or protection, or to provide better traction, for example, leather or rubber. As shown, the return 10 extends rearwardly only under the region of the shank and not under the heel portion of the shoe, thus providing greater freedom of movement as well as greater ease and comfort, especially when worn driving an automobile.

The advantages of the present invention are quite apparent both from the point of view of style, comfort and safety. Regardless of the height of the heel a iirm supporting base is provided and the opportunity for a heel to catch on a stair tread or in a metal grating is eliminated. The resilience provided by the inherent flexibility of the metal shank 5 adds substantially to the comfort of the wearer and eliminates to a major degree the jarring experienced in the wearing of the ordinary high heel. In building the shoe, in lieu of the ordinary metal shank, I employ a shank 5 provided with a return 10 and consequently no specialized machines are necessary.

The use of the terms conventional or ordinary highheeled shoes throughout this specification is intended to refer to the usual ladies high-heeled shoes that are provided with heels that are rigid in structure and generally of an overall height of from 21/2 to 31/2 inches and attached to the heel portion of the shoe directly beneath the heel of the wearers foot.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A ladys shoe comprising a vamp and an inner and an outer sole, said soles having a flat forward portion and an upwardly extending shank and heel portion raised out of the plane of the forward portion, said soles extending from the toe portion of the shoe to the heel portion thereof with said outer sole being provided with a transverse opening therein at the ball line of the shoe, and a resilient shank lying between said inner and outer soles in the region of the heel and shank of said shoe and extending forwardly to the ball area thereof and being provided with a return bend portion extending through said transverse opening and rearwardly therefrom in the plane of the sole and terminating under the shank, said return bend portion being provided with suitable covering material and serving as a heel-less support for said shoe.

2. A ladys shoe as specified in claim 1, wherein said shank is formed of a resilient metal and said return bend portion is integral therewith.

3. A ladys shoe as specified in claim 1, wherein said covering material for said return bend portion includes a traction material.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,187,756 Schwellenbach Jan. 23, 1940 2,399,543 Dack Apr. 30, 1946 2,424,609 Friedmann July 29, 1947 2,767,487 Friedmann Oct. 23, 1956 

